Construction Project Engineer

About Varda

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda’s W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated by Varda in-house, including the pharmaceutical processing payloads, the capsules, the C-PICA heat shields, and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.  

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.  

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL. 

Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

About This Role 

Varda Space Industries is looking for a Construction Project Engineer to support our expanding facilities and operations on Earth.  This role will be responsible for overseeing and executing the design, buildout, and bring-up of infrastructure, facility improvements, and large capital projects at Varda’s current and future sites. 

You will work closely with internal teams – including facilities, engineering, production, finance, EHS, supply chain, and site reliability engineering – as well as numerous external contractors and municipal and regulatory agencies, to execute all phases of construction projects from design through closeout. 

 

Responsibilities 

• Oversee and execute the entire lifecycle of multidisciplinary construction projects, from scope development through closeout 

• Support development of project scope, budgets, schedules and resources in coordination with internal stakeholders, general and sub-contractors, vendors, and other external stakeholders 

• Collect and evaluate competitive proposals from architects, engineers, vendors, consultants, and contractors, making selections based on quality, compliance and value 

• Write and manage contracts with architects, engineers, vendors, consultants, and contractors across multiple disciplines 

• Support design reviews to ensure alignment with municipal and regulatory standards/codes, coordinating with architectural & engineering (A&E;) contractors on design deliverables 

• Facilitate expedient approvals from municipal, county, and regulatory agencies on applicable project aspects, including permitting and inspections 

• Monitor and expedite material procurements to ensure conformity with project schedules 

• Maintain an active presence in the field through consistent site visits and inspections, as well as communication with architects, engineers, vendors, consultants, and contractors 

• Promptly resolve design and construction discrepancies in the field with applicable stakeholders 

• Ensure project milestones are completed within acceptable scheduling and budgetary parameters, optimizing for speed without sacrificing quality or scope 

• Communicate project updates and risks to Varda leadership and stakeholders on a regular, frequent basis 

• Ensure safety and environmental compliance at construction project sites in coordination with contractors, EHS, and other applicable stakeholders 

• Review and approve contractor invoices, progress payment requests, and change order proposals, ensuring accuracy and adherence to contract terms and negotiating as appropriate 

• Maintain organized project documentation, including designs and specifications, proposals, contracts, permits and related submittals, RFIs, invoices, change orders, and closeout documents 

• Lead coordination with end-user stakeholders and facilities teams to ensure operational alignment and a smooth handoff for ongoing building operations and maintenance 

• Manage tools, documentation, data, processes and systems related to construction projects 

• Support real estate planning, space allocation, and other facilities-related initiatives as needed 

 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management 

• 2+ years of professional experience in architecture, engineering, or construction management 

• Familiarity with electrical, mechanical, architectural, and structural engineering principles 

• Ability to manage priorities and multiple projects simultaneously, and take on additional responsibilities as needed 

• Ability to articulate technical and non-technical material clearly to various personnel 

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in a related field (e.g., Construction or Engineering Management) 

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP), or equivalent certification 

• Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, and/or Smartsheet 

• Experience with infrastructure projects in aerospace, manufacturing, cleanroom, and/or pharmaceutical or biotech lab environments 

Pay Range

• Salary range: $101,000 to $155,000 

• This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA

• Leveling and salary is determined by job-related skills, education level, experience level, and job performance

Benefits

Consider your benefits covered for launch. At Varda, we invest in benefits and perks that support your health, financial well-being, and life beyond work. Benefits vary by position, with packages designed specifically for our regular full-time employees and interns. 

Regular Full-Time Positions: 

Health & Wellness  

• Flexible PTO policy + 12 paid holidays  

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options 

• Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance  

• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses  

• 12 weeks of parental leave (with supplemental disability leave for CA mothers)  

• Family building, pregnancy, parenting and menopause benefits via Maven Clinic  

• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents  

 

Financial & Retirement  

• Substantial incentive equity in a fully funded space start-up  

• 401(k) retirement plan with 6% employer match (immediately vested) 

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement  

• Relocation support for new hires, if needed  

 

Workplace Experience & Perks  

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly  

• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations 

• Complimentary EV charging 

 

Benefits for Internship Positions: 

Health & Wellness   

• Paid observed holidays.   

• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans for employees and dependents with FSA and employer-matched HSA options.  

• $120/month wellness reimbursement for gym and fitness expenses.   

• Sponsored One Medical memberships for employees and their dependents.   

 

Financial   

• $20/pay period cell phone reimbursement.   

• Up to $4,000 gross up in relocation support, if eligible  

• Up to $850 commute credit through Lyft or car rental reimbursement, if eligible.   

 

Workplace Experience & Perks  

• Fully stocked kitchen with lunch provided daily and dinner provided twice weekly  

• Company and team-bonding events, happy hours and mission-success celebrations 

• Complimentary EV charging 

 

ITAR Requirements

Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our policy is to only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

“US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).

 

E-Verify Statement

Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

E-Verify Notice                                                               Right To Work Notice

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Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Department: Facilities